Complete the journey

Of late, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has found untapped reserves of courage to take the right economic decisions. Fuel prices have been increased and expenditures are being slashed aggressively.

Recently, railways minister Pawan Kumar Bansal hinted at another round of passenger fare hikes. It has now been reported that a fuel surcharge on these fares is an option that is being explored.

This is only half the journey.

It is always possible to muster political courage for effecting one-off price changes; the bigger battle is to depoliticize such decision making totally. That way, two birds can be killed with one stone. One, the financial future of a vital national asset can be secured, and two, regular efforts to muster political support for such steps can then cease. Our leaders ought to devote their time and energy to more pressing matters than deciding the price of railway tickets.